JAMES MCPHEE FROM ARBROATH CAUGHT IN HORRIFIC HARE COURSING INCIDENT IN INVERARITY AND FORFAR

James McPhee, a well-known figure from Arbroath, has been found guilty of participating in illegal hare coursing activities, a practice that has long been associated with the rural and traveling communities in Scotland. The conviction stems from two separate incidents involving the unlawful hunting of brown hares with dogs, which took place at different locations in Angus County.

On April 28, 2017, McPhee was caught at Carrot Farm, located at Carrot Hill in Inverarity, where he was seen engaging in the illegal activity. The court also heard that he was involved in a similar incident at Ingliston Farm in Forfar on May 12, 2017. Both cases involved the use of lurcher dogs to chase and catch wild hares, a practice that is strictly prohibited under Scottish wildlife laws.

McPhee, who is currently residing in Roseacres Chalets in Newport-on-Tay, Fife, was charged and pleaded guilty to these offences. The court was informed that McPhee, born around 1967 and previously residing on Bloomfield Crescent in Arbroath, has a long history of hare coursing, which has resulted in numerous prior convictions. His involvement in such activities appears to be part of a pattern linked to his lifestyle within the traveling community, where hunting for food has historically been a motive.

During the proceedings, McPhee’s defense solicitor, Nick Markowski, provided some context about his client’s actions. He explained that during the first incident, McPhee was observed with his daughters in a field, and the second involved two dogs and several men, which the court described as a typical hare coursing scenario. Mr. Markowski also mentioned that McPhee’s dog, Gip, has since been given to a friend and has recently sired puppies.

The lawyer highlighted McPhee’s extensive criminal record, which includes 35 convictions over the past two decades. However, he noted that McPhee’s activities had slowed down, with the last breach of the Wild Mammals Act occurring in 2009. Despite this, the court was told that McPhee fully acknowledged his past involvement in hare coursing and expressed remorse for his actions. He also clarified that McPhee no longer owns a dog, having sold his previous one for a modest sum.

In sentencing, Sheriff Murray emphasized the seriousness of the case, citing concerns over McPhee’s role in encouraging others to participate in hare coursing and his decision to give away a dog that could be worth thousands of pounds in such illegal activities. The sheriff pointed out that McPhee’s record included 11 and 12 previous convictions for similar offences, leaving no alternative but to impose a custodial sentence.

As a result, James McPhee was sentenced to 195 days in prison. The court’s decision underscores the ongoing efforts by authorities to crack down on illegal wildlife crimes and highlights the persistent problem of hare coursing in parts of Scotland, particularly within communities with a history of such practices. This case serves as a stark reminder of the penalties faced by those who continue to flout wildlife protection laws, despite previous convictions and warnings.